illegal fishing in Sierra Leone

 By Josephine Sesay

The ministry of fisheries and marine resources has sounded the alarm over illegal fishing in Sierra Leone’s territorial waters, which is severely undermining the country’s fisheries revenue targets.

In an interview on wake up Sierra Leone, acting Director of Fisheries, Mr. Sheiku Sei, revealed that the ministry has generated less than half of its projected revenue due to unauthorized fishing vessels. Illegal boats fish in our waters and export their catch, crippling our revenue from the fisheries sector, Sei stated.

Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing costs Sierra Leone millions annually, threatening local fishers’ livelihoods, food security, and sustainable marine resource management. Sei stressed the urgent need for stronger enforcement, including enhanced maritime surveillance, regional cooperation, and stricter penalties for offenders.

Experts warn that without swift, coordinated action, illegal fishing will further deplete fish stocks, harm marine ecosystems, and weaken trust in regulatory bodies.

The ministry has partnered with international organizations to implement satellite monitoring and joint sea patrols, but Sei noted these efforts require greater funding to counter sophisticated illegal fishing networks.

As part of the government’s Feed Salone Initiative to bolster food systems and natural resource revenue, tackling illegal fishing remains a key priority for the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources.

Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Friday, May 9th, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)